Hyphenation ofthin-skinnedness
Syllable Division:
thin-skinned-ness
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˈθɪnˌskɪndnəs/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
010
Primary stress falls on the second syllable of 'skinned'. The overall stress pattern is 0 1 0.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, stressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: thin
Old English origin, adjective modifier.
Root: skin
Proto-Germanic origin, noun base.
Suffix: skinned
English -ed suffix, adjectival component.
Sensitivity and vulnerability to criticism or offense; easily upset or offended.
Examples:
"His thin-skinnedness made it difficult to give him constructive criticism."
"She was surprised by his thin-skinnedness, as he usually seemed so confident."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant Division
Syllables are often divided after a vowel followed by a consonant.
Consonant Cluster Division
Syllables are divided before and after consonant clusters.
Suffix Division
Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The compound adjective 'thin-skinned' functions as a single semantic unit, influencing stress placement.
Summary:
The word 'thin-skinnedness' is divided into three syllables: thin-skinned-ness. It consists of the prefix 'thin', root 'skin', and suffixes 'skinned' and 'ness'. The primary stress falls on the 'skinned' syllable. Syllabification follows vowel-consonant, consonant cluster, and suffix division rules.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "thin-skinnedness" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "thin-skinnedness" is pronounced as /ˈθɪnˌskɪndnəs/ in General American English. It presents challenges due to the compound adjective "thin-skinned" functioning as a unit before the suffix "-ness".
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: thin-skinned-ness.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: thin- (Old English þinne - meaning 'fine, small, delicate'). Function: Adjective modifier.
- Root: skin- (Proto-Germanic skindą - meaning 'hide, skin'). Function: Noun base.
- Suffix: -skinned (English -ed suffix, originally a past participle, now functioning as an adjectival component). Function: Adjective formation.
- Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes - from -nessu). Function: Noun formation (abstract noun).
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the second syllable of "skinned" within the compound adjective. The overall stress pattern is therefore: 0 1 0.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˈθɪnˌskɪndnəs/
6. Edge Case Review:
The compound adjective "thin-skinned" is treated as a single unit for stress and, to some extent, syllabification. The "-ed" suffix is often reduced to /d/ in pronunciation, but remains orthographically present.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Thin-skinnedness" functions solely as a noun. There are no syllabification or stress shifts if the word were to hypothetically function as another part of speech.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Sensitivity and vulnerability to criticism or offense; easily upset or offended.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: hypersensitivity, touchiness, oversensitivity, defensiveness
- Antonyms: thick-skinned, resilience, fortitude, toughness
- Examples: "His thin-skinnedness made it difficult to give him constructive criticism." "She was surprised by his thin-skinnedness, as he usually seemed so confident."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- happiness: hap-pi-ness. Similar structure with a suffix "-ness". Stress on the second syllable.
- kindness: kind-ness. Similar structure with a suffix "-ness". Stress on the first syllable.
- fitness: fit-ness. Similar structure with a suffix "-ness". Stress on the first syllable.
The difference in stress placement in "thin-skinnedness" is due to the compound adjective "thin-skinned" functioning as a unit, attracting the stress. The other words consist of a single root and the suffix "-ness".
10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:
- thin: /θɪn/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant. Exception: The /θ/ sound is relatively uncommon as a syllable onset.
- skinned: /ˈskɪnd/ - Closed syllable, stressed. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant cluster. Exception: The "sk" cluster is common.
- ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable, unstressed. Rule: Consonant followed by a vowel and a consonant. Exception: Common suffix.
11. Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are often divided after a vowel followed by a consonant (e.g., thin).
- Consonant Cluster Division: Syllables are divided before and after consonant clusters (e.g., skinned).
- Suffix Division: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables (e.g., -ness).
12. Special Considerations:
The compound adjective "thin-skinned" presents a slight challenge, as it functions as a single semantic unit. However, the syllabification still follows the standard rules.
13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Regional variations in pronunciation might affect the vowel sounds (e.g., /ɪ/ vs. /i/ in "thin"), but the syllable division would remain the same.
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What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.
In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.